Studies on epiphytic flora of a tropical rain forest in Southwestern Nigeria

A survey of epiphytes in Gambari Forest Reserve in Southwestern Nigeria was undertaken. A total of 26 epiphytes were recorded. These include five pteridophytes and 21 angiosperm species belonging to the following families; Acanthaceae, Araceae, Asteraceae, Commelinaceae, Moraceae, Orchidaceae, Palmae, Urticaceae Piperaceae, and Portulacaceae. The smooth-barked phorophytes had only one or two epiphytes on them because they are unable to accumulated dust, debris and moisture for germination and growth of the epiphytes. The palm trees with rough barks had points at which they can collect soil, nutrients and moisture for epiphytic growth, hence all the epiphytic species recorded on the site were present on palm trees. Presence of many of the epiphytes is thought to be due to the availability of propagules from reproducing adults in the surrounding vegetation. Also, epiphytes appear to have a dressing effect on the palm trees.